Pennsylvania Fundraising Licensing
This page provides an overview of fundraising licensing in Pennsylvania for charities, for-profits, and individuals. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Pennsylvania Charitable Gaming Licenses
About this License
Not required
Bingo licenses and small games of chance licenses are issued at the county level in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
About this License
Not required
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Pennsylvania certain charities from insurance regulation related to charitable gift annuities if they meet the description offered in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, have been in continuous existence for at least 3 years, and have unrestricted assets of at least $100,000 plus half of the principal value of issued annuities. The charity must also be an educational institution, hospital, senior citizen center, religious institution, or charitable organization registered with the department of state.
Pennsylvania Charitable Organization Registration
About this License
| Agency: | Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Charitable Organizations |
| Law: | 10 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 4B, § 162.1 - 162.7 |
| Legal Notes: | 10 Pennsylvania Statutes, Chapter 4B, § 162.1 - 162.7 |
Automatic Exemption
| Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
|
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
| Notes: | If your organization is based in Pennsylvania, it may still be required to file an Institutions of Purely Public Charity Statement. |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | |
| Filing method: | |
| Agency fee: | $15-250, depending on gross contributions |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
| Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Filing method: | |
| Agency fee: | $15-250, depending on gross contributions |
| Due: | Due annually 10.5 months after the end of the fiscal year every year. |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
| Notes: |
|
Change of Fiscal Year
| Form: | |
| Agency fee: | Varies |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
| Notes: | Fiscal year can be changed during the standard renewal process. |
Pennsylvania Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
About this License
Not required
Pennsylvania does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but they may need to follow other regulations before and after fundraising events.
Initial Registration
Not required
Registration is not required for commercial co-venturers in Pennsylvania, but other requirements may apply.
Registration Renewal
Not required
Pennsylvania Fundraising Counsel Registration
About this License
| Agency: | Pennsylvania Department of State - Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations |
Initial Registration
| Form: | Form BCO-150: Registration Statement for Professional Fundraising Counsel |
| Agency fee: | $250 |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Form BCO-150: Registration Statement for Professional Fundraising Counsel (Renewal) |
| Agency fee: | $250 |
| Due: | Annually |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
Pennsylvania Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
About this License
Not required
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Pennsylvania.
Initial Registration
Not required
Registration is not required for individual solicitors in Pennsylvania, but other requirements may apply.
Registration Renewal
Not required
Pennsylvania Professional Fundraiser Registration
About this License
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency fee: | $250 |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency fee: | $250 |
| Due: | Annually |
| Original Ink: | Not required |
| Notarize: | Not required |
Learn about fundraising in other states:
Harbor Compliance® proudly partners with the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations to provide insightful resources and compliance solutions to nonprofits in Pennsylvania.
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